pastrygirl’s BodyBlog

I just counted and discovered that I have sixteen weeks until my first show. How much dedication does it take to get through the holidays? Hopefully all I can muster. This year I’m not clooking, but am still responsible for the desserts.  Cruel. But what my children don’t know, I have a secret…every dessert I will be making is going to be either gluten-free or low fat. I did it last year and they never knew the difference. The funny thing about this is they ate everything I made!

The next sixteen weeks are definitely going to be a true test of my dedication…shopping, dinners, events, etc. I plan on  getting to the gym everyday early so I can feel good about focusing on me and still have time left for all the other things I have to do.

Wish me Luck!

Yesterday was my little girl’s birthday. She is ten. She knows how dedicated I am to working out and living a healthy lifestyle, so when I blew off the gym to play with her she was happy, but a bit surprised. When I spend time with her it is usually after I have gone to the gym. But yesterday was special - it was her day. So when I asked her what she wanted to do before we went to dinner, she suprised my by saying she wanted to go to the gym. I asked why…"because you are giving up your workout to be with me. we can play racquetball so you can still get some kind of workout. is that okay?" I cried. She is such a beautiful girl!

After we played racquetball we went to dinner. During dinner she thanked me again for playing racquetball and whispered I my ear that I was her hero. Happy 10th Birthday, Ayanna!

Wondering about the title? On the weekends, I work with my BF at his place of business. He owns a salvage yard. I move car parts (doors, hoods, engines, bumpers, etc.) around, search for parts, inventory parts, and anything else that you can think of that happens at a salvage yard. And yes, it is a dirty job…but a I really enjoy it.

Being a former bodybuilder, he understands the importance of living a healthy life, exercising, and drinking water. He’s my trainer, too. So seeing me bring a gallon jug of water to work is nothing to him, but it was to me. He too drinks a lot of water but he’s a guy and can go anywhere on the ten acres his yard covers. Me, on the other hand, am stuck using the port-a-potty on site. This "potty" is used by the other employees (men) and customers (men) on a daily basis. I was not going go in there. No offense, but some men are just gross. My BF doesn’t even use this potty.

I’m all for proper fluid intake, but if I don’t have a place to go, my blatter is going to explode. So, until I can find a solution to my problem, I will keep abiding to my dedication of living the healthy lifestyle…or take a two-minute speed run to the house every hour to use a clean bathroom. Isn’t it funny the things we do for ourselves.

I finally decided and committed to it. I now have a website! It’s nothing fancy, but it is a place where I can update things about me, showcase pictures, tips, reciepes,diet, workouts, and my shirts (they are silkscreened original drawings soon to be available - January 2010).

I made the decision to do the website when a few of my clients told me that I was a tremendous motivation to them. One lady I work with said, "No matter what is happening in your life, you always manage to smile and make others feel good about themselves. That to me is a true hero." I started crying - I never realized just how much I helped others. Now I know.

Yes, I have been through a lot…health issues, low self esteem, an abusive relationship, but I never stayed down long. Either I was an idiot or stronger than I thought. I do believe bodybuilding has a lot to do with it. Everytime I would hear the voices from my past tell me hateful things, I pushed harder. I wanted to push their voices out of my head. I no longer wanted to be that person. I just wanted to be "me!"…and here I am!

If you would like to visit my site, please do so. It is still a work in progress, but I would love for you to stop by and send me some feedback - www.gretchenmalik.com

Thanks for reading my blog. Have a great weekend!

I’ve been training for a year now. During that time I have watched my body change from skinny fat to fit. I entered my first competition this past July and placed third. Quite a feat for my first time. I like the changes ocurring and am excited to see how my body will respond to my new routine. I have been told my friends, family, and even strangers how great I look. But nothing has made me feel as sexy or beautiful as my new haircut.

As I look at myself in the mirror, I can see all the hard work I’ve put in. The body is nice for a forty-five year old mother of five, but the haircut makes the entire package amazing. I feel more confident and ready for the upcoming competitions.

It is always the little things that make a difference.  Find that little thing that makes you feel amazing. The results may just surprise you!

I laugh…I survived the first week of my new training schedule even with the back pain. I thought getting up at the crack of dawn to do cardio would kill me, but actually I enjoy it. I like going to the gym this early because I can get into my zone and not worry about others around me talking to each other or on their cell phones. Its quiet, the perfect atmosphere for burning fat.

Returning to the gym in the evening is difficult, my girls are with me, but if I even think about skipping a day, they hold me accountable. I am very happy to have their support. Another thing that has motivated me this week is knowing that the guys I see there are also encouraging me. I am the only girl in the weight room pumping just as hard as they are. It took awhile, but now I have their respect. They make room for me…I guess I can be considered one of the guys.

The one thing I am most proud of this past week is my pull-ups. I can now do three sets of five. That was my mini goal for the week. I’ve achieved it!

Back to the gym tomorrow before the sun rises for cardio and to return when the sun sets for weights. Today is my rest day. I get to work in a salvage yard with my BF. I never thought I could find someone like him. Besides being my trainer (he’s a former bodybuilder), he has become my rock along with my girls. I never realized just how lucky I am!

Have a great Sunday!

Yesterday I hit the gym with a new focused. I want to be the best I can be. I want to walk across the competition stage next year looking my best. Although I left the gym on wobbly legs and sore abs, I felt good. It was great pushing myself. But then I went and put a delay on my training by twisting my back. It happened during my son’s soccer game while cheering him on - I slipped before jumping up. I wish I had a better story, like it happened during sex with a hot bodybuilder, but I digress. I will return tomorrow to the gym to hit chest and back.

Here I am. It is the first day of my three month prep for next year. I am starting earlier this year so I can take each month to see where I am with my body and makes changes accordingly. I am also tweeking my diet, not to strict, I still want to be able to have at least one cheat meal so I don’t lose my mind during this endeavor.

I am excited and nervous. Competing is something I’ve always wanted to do, and did last year…successfully! But no one knows what will happen tomorrow. This journey is going to be a test of my true committment to myself, but I believe I can reach my goals. I have the support of my girls, the support of my BF, and a new found confidence in myself I have no clue where it came from. I think it has something to do with me finally facing my demons and confronting them head on.

If interested, I will share my journey with you. Look for new blogs once a week with updates and pictures.  Thank you for all the support I have been receiving. This keeps me going!

This past week I had a hard time getting motivated.  My reason, no electricity or heat in my apartment. It isn’t easy getting up when you know the room will remain dark no matter how many times you play with the light switch, light candles, or turn on the flashlight. Also knowing you have to take off the layer of clothing you slept in, greet the cold before redressing quickly to go workout. But I did it.

What really motivates you? For me, it is the constant picture I see in my head. The one where I’m standing on stage accepting my award from Arnold S, flashes of light from the many photographers winking at me, and the sound of applause singing in my ears. Yes, I dream big, but if I don’t believe…what’s the point in doing what I do.

As I prepare for next year, I know I will need all the motivation I can get. So if I have to brave the obstacles that come my way to reach my goals, so be it. I’m worth it!

This is the last week before I begin my three months out. I am very excited and nervous. I have told all my clients about my adventure and they are very supportive. I even have two clients who want to help me by providing services for my competitions - hair and nails. This is great! As I get closer to March 2010, I will be soliciting for more sponsors. I hope having already competed and placed will help. I even had a t-shirt made with my outline on the front and the words "Sponsor Me" on the back. I hoping to sell other shirts as soon as I get all the designs completed.

I am doing cardio only this week to give my body time to rest and prepare for what is to come. My trainer and I have sat down and come up with workouts we believe will help me become leaner. I will also be working with a modeling coach to become more confident and fluid with my walk and stage presence. I am also eating a bit cleaner so as not to shock my body when my diet starts changing.

I love the sacrifices I will be making. Nothing makes me happier than being in the gym, lifting and working towards my goal. Bodybuiding helps me believe that I can be a stonger, beautiful version of what I already am. HEHE!

I better go now, its time to eat and drink my fourth quart of water today!